U.S. patent number 10,719,678 [Application Number 16/338,648] was granted by the patent office on 2020-07-21 for device for checking access authorizations stored on data carriers.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Axess AG. The grantee listed for this patent is Axess AG. Invention is credited to Josef Fischer, Oliver Suter, Christian Windhager.
![](/patent/grant/10719678/US10719678-20200721-D00000.png)
![](/patent/grant/10719678/US10719678-20200721-D00001.png)
![](/patent/grant/10719678/US10719678-20200721-D00002.png)
United States Patent |
10,719,678 |
Fischer , et al. |
July 21, 2020 |
Device for checking access authorizations stored on data
carriers
Abstract
A device for checking access authorizations stored on data
carriers is provided, having a reading unit, arranged in the access
region, for the data carrier, said reading unit actuating a
signaling means and/or a blocking means, wherein the reading unit
includes a housing having an insertion region for the data carrier
and the insertion region having an upper first wall with a reading
module sensing the insertion region, a lower second wall of the
insertion region be fastened detachably and/or pivotably to the
housing, that the reading unit can be changed from a first state to
a second state in a predefinable manner by pivoting and/or removing
the lower second wall, wherein in the first state of the reading
unit, the second wall, together with the first wall, forms a U- or
V-shaped insertion region and in the second state, the insertion
region is L-shaped and open towards the bottom.
Inventors: |
Fischer; Josef (Hallein,
AT), Windhager; Christian (Elsbethen, AT),
Suter; Oliver (Bad Durrnberg, AT) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Axess AG |
Anif |
N/A |
AT |
|
|
Assignee: |
Axess AG (Anif,
AT)
|
Family
ID: |
59966747 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/338,648 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2017 |
PCT
Filed: |
September 22, 2017 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2017/074026 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
April 01, 2019 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2018/065238 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
April 12, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190340402 A1 |
Nov 7, 2019 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 6, 2016 [AT] |
|
|
A 463/2016 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B
11/08 (20130101); G06K 7/10415 (20130101); G07C
9/00944 (20130101); G06K 7/10009 (20130101); G07C
9/10 (20200101); G06K 7/1098 (20130101); G06K
7/10861 (20130101); G07B 15/00 (20130101); G07C
9/20 (20200101); G06K 7/10544 (20130101); G07C
9/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06K
7/10 (20060101); E06B 11/08 (20060101); G07C
9/00 (20200101); G07C 9/20 (20200101) |
Field of
Search: |
;340/5.83,5.2
;235/462.14,462.43,382,384,470 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400775 |
|
Mar 1996 |
|
AT |
|
004500 |
|
Jul 2001 |
|
AT |
|
20114630 |
|
Nov 2001 |
|
DE |
|
0905641 |
|
Mar 1999 |
|
EP |
|
1605413 |
|
Dec 2005 |
|
EP |
|
2234032 |
|
Sep 2010 |
|
EP |
|
Other References
International Search Report and Written Opinion, PCT/EP2017/074026;
dated Dec. 18, 2017; 7 pages. cited by applicant .
Austrian Search Report, Austrian Patent Application No. A 463/2016;
dated Jan. 17, 2018; 1 page. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Nam V
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Liang & Hennessey Hennessey;
Brian E.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A device for checking access authorizations stored on data
carriers, comprising: a reading unit, arranged in an access region,
for a data carrier one of held by an individual and worn by an
individual, the reading unit actuating at least one of a signaling
arrangement and a blocking arrangement directed at the individual,
the reading unit including a housing with an insertion region for
data carriers, the insertion region including an upper first wall
with a reading module scanning the insertion region; and a lower
second wall arranged in the insertion region and fastened pivotably
to the housing, the reading unit adapted to be converted from a
first state to a second state in a predefinable manner by pivoting
the lower second wall, the reading unit further adapted to be
converted from the second state to the first state in a second
predefinable manner by further pivoting the lower second wall, the
upper first wall and the lower second wall forming an acute angle
in the first state.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the reading module has
a window arranged in the upper first wall with a bar code scanner
behind it, such that the bar code scanner scans the insertion
region through the window.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing features a
large-scale display above the upper first wall of the insertion
region.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein a proximity sensor is
arranged in the housing of the reading unit, wherein a scanning
range of the proximity sensor seen in the direction of access is
oriented before or behind the insertion region for the data
carriers.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein two proximity sensors
are arranged in the housing of the reading unit, wherein a scanning
range of the first proximity sensor seen in the direction of access
is oriented before the insertion region for the data carriers and
wherein a scanning range of the second proximity sensor seen in the
direction of access is oriented behind the insertion region for the
data carriers.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the lower second wall
is within the insertion region in the second state.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a national phase application of PCT Application
No. PCT/EP2017/074026, filed Sep. 22, 2017, entitled "DEVICE FOR
CHECKING ACCESS AUTHORIZATIONS STORED ON DATA CARRIERS", which
claims the benefit of Austrian Patent Application No. A 463/2016,
filed Oct. 6, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for checking access
authorizations stored on data carriers, with a reading unit,
arranged in the access region, for the data carrier, which reading
unit actuates a signaling means and/or a blocking means, wherein
the reading unit features a housing with an insertion region for
the data carrier, and the insertion region features an upper first
wall with a reading module sensing the insertion region.
BACKGROUND
Ticket readers are known with an insertion slot in the respective
format of the data carrier, for instance in credit card format in
automatic teller machines. The disadvantage here is that the user
may often not detect the insertion slot, and that therefore
processing time is high. For a cash dispensing machine this may
still be acceptable, but for access control this leads to
congestion at the access point.
An improved device was described, for instance, in DE20114630,
wherein it is proposed that the insertion region be designed
significantly larger than the ticket used. The V-shaped insertion
region has a window in its upper wall, through which a bar code
scanner scans the insertion region. This embodiment has the
advantage that a large-sized shaft will continue to be recognized
by the user as an insertion region for tickets, without a
limitation being imposed on the ticket format.
Tickets as data carriers for access control are known in many
embodiments. In particular for automated access control, the credit
card format has prevailed. This format is familiar to most users
and can be used for a variety of ticket technologies. Examples are
tickets with bar code, with magnetic strips, or with laminated RFID
chips. A fundamental disadvantage of such data carriers is that it
can easily be transferred to third parties.
SUMMARY
The task of the invention is to improve a device for access control
such that operation is facilitated, processing time is consequently
shorter, and the device is suitable for card-shaped data carriers
as well as for personalized data carriers.
Departing from the aforementioned type category, in which the
reading unit features a housing with an insertion region for the
data carriers, and the insertion region features an upper first
wall with a reading module sensing the insertion region, according
to the invention, this is accomplished in that a lower second wall
of the insertion region is detachably and/or pivotably attached to
the housing, in that the reading unit can be changed in a
predefinable manner from a first state to a second state by
pivoting and/or removing the lower second wall, wherein in the
first state of the reading unit, the second wall, together with the
first wall, forms a U- or V-shaped insertion region, whereas in the
second state, the insertion region is L-shaped and open towards the
bottom.
A material advantage of this embodiment is that the reading unit
with the U- or V-shaped insertion region is well-suited to reading
data carriers in credit card format, whereas the pivoting away of
the lower wall of the insertion region creates an L-shaped
insertion region that is open towards the bottom. In this position,
the reading unit is optimally adapted to read data carriers in the
form of wrist bands.
Thus, for instance, the reading unit according to the invention may
be used for reading tickets in card format by way of standard
operation, whereas for events it can be used to read tickets in the
form of wrist bands. A wrist band is particularly well suited to be
durably attached to its owner, thus preventing an impermissible
transfer of the ticket to third parties. A wrist band is also more
advantageous, for instance, for operating a swimming event.
If a proximity sensor is arranged in the housing of the reading
unit, a further improvement in the flow of people can be achieved.
Viewed in the direction of access, the scanning range of the
proximity sensor should be oriented before or after the insertion
region for the data carriers. Thus, approval will ensure that the
person requesting access is in the right position.
Alternatively, two proximity sensor may be arranged in the housing
of the reading unit, such that seen in the direction of access, the
scanning range of the first proximity sensor would be oriented
before the insertion region for the data carriers, whereas the
scanning range of the second proximity sensor would be oriented
behind the insertion region for the data carriers. Access is then
possible in both directions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be further explained based on an exemplary
embodiment, with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of the reading unit,
FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section of this reading unit,
FIG. 3 shows an oblique view of the reading unit configured for use
with wrist bands as data carriers,
FIG. 4 shows a schematic section of the reading unit with a
pivotable lower wall of the insertion region,
FIG. 5 shows the schematic cross section of the reading unit
configured for use with wrist bands as data carriers,
FIG. 6 shows the oblique view of an access point with a reading
unit according to the invention configured for use with wrist
bands,
FIG. 7 shows the oblique view of an access point with a reading
unit according to the invention configured for use with data
carriers in card format,
FIG. 8 shows the schematic oblique view of the reading unit with an
additional proximity sensor, and
FIG. 9 shows the top view of an access point equipped with this
reading unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reading unit according to the
invention consists of a housing 10 which, as will be explained
below, can be built into an access control barrier such as a
turnstile, or simply be arranged with signaling devices in the
access region. A reading module is arranged in the upper part of
the housing 10. Below the reading module, a U-shaped insertion
region 1 for data carriers 5, 5' is formed by an upper first wall 2
and a lower wall 2'.
In particular, it may be provided that the reading module has a
window 3 with a bar code scanner 11 behind it arranged in the upper
first wall 2, such that the bar code scanner 11 scans the insertion
region 1 through the window 3. The upper wall 2 comprises a window
3, showed as shaded in FIG. 2, through which the bar code scanner
11 scans the insertion region.
Multiple suitable bar code scanners are known, for instance the
"Zebra DS457 Imager", and they typically use camera systems with
downstream evaluation logic, which scan a bar code and transmit its
numerical content to an access system downstream. It should be
pointed out explicitly, however, that in the framework of
invention, this bar code scanner 11 can obviously be exchanged for
any other suitable scanning technology, including, for instance, by
an RFID reader. Accordingly, the term windows 3 must be understood
abstractly; what is material is that the upper wall 2 of the
insertion region 1 for the respectively selected scanning
technology be transparent (for instance to infrared electromagnetic
waves of the RFID reading module).
The configuration of the reading unit according to the invention
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is optimally suited for card-shaped data
carriers 5, since it can be easily presented for reading the
authorization, and the user would intuitively understand that they
are expected to insert the data carrier 5 into the insertion region
1. This configuration corresponds to the first state of the reading
unit.
FIG. 4 shows that the lower wall 2' of the insertion region 1 is
foldably attached to the housing 10 by means of a hinge 12. The
arrow 6 marks the swinging movement of the lower wall 2', which is
made possible by the hinge 12. If the lower wall 2' is now folded
upward, the formerly U-shaped insertion region 1 is converted into
an L-shaped insertion region 1 that is open towards the bottom. The
reading unit according to the invention is now optimally configured
to read data carriers 5' in the form of a wrist band, since the
user can easily bring their arm into a position suitable for
reading. FIGS. 3 and 5 show this position in an oblique view and in
a schematic cross section. This configuration corresponds to the
second state of the reading unit.
Therefore, a device for checking access authorizations stored on
data carriers 5, 5' can be provided, having a reading unit,
arranged in the access region, for the data carrier 5, 5', which
actuates signaling means and/or blocking means 4. The reading unit
features a housing 10 with a U- or V-shaped insertion region 1 for
the data carriers 5, 5', and wherein the U- or V-shaped insertion
region 1 is formed in part by an upper first wall 2, in which a
window 3 is arranged with a bar code scanner 11 behind it, which
scans the insertion region 1 through the window. The second, lower
wall 2' of the U-shaped insertion region 1 is attached to the
housing 10 by means of a detachable or swiveling hinge 12, such
that the U- or V-shaped insertion region 1 can be converted into an
L-shaped insertion region 1 that is open towards the bottom by
pivoting or removing the lower wall.
It is also indicated here that above of the insertion region 1, a
large-scale display 14 is arranged on the housing 10, such that
usage instructions can be entered directly in the reading zone.
Wrist bands as data carriers 5' for access control are commonly
known, and they typically use either bar codes imprinted on the
wrist band or RFID Inlays. Wrist bands are particularly favored for
one-time events, since the wrist band can be attached to its owner
with a single-use seal, this preventing a transfer to unauthorized
third parties. Another application is swimming pools, where the
wrist band is well-suited to attach the data carrier to the
authorized person without risk of loss.
FIG. 6 shows a schematic access control with a column 13 supporting
an access blocking means 4. In this example, the blocking means 4,
which may also be referred to as a blocking device or as an access
barrier, is a flap arm that can be motorically moved from the
Closed position to the Open position when the access system
recognizes the authorization as valid.
The person approaching in FIG. 6 carries a data carrier 5' in the
form of a wrist band, and the reading unit according to the
invention is configured with an L-shaped insertion region through
the folding up of the lower wall 2' of the insertion region, that
is, in the second state. It is clearly visible here that the
reading unit according to the invention allows for a readable
delivery of the data carrier 5' in wrist band format.
FIG. 7 shows the same access control, wherein here the reading unit
according to the invention is configured with the wall 2' folded
down, that is, in the first state, in order to offer the user with
a card-shaped data carrier 5 optimal ergonomics.
The invention therefore provides a reading unit that may be
adjusted for any respective application. This is particularly
advantageous when the requirements of the data carriers 5, 5' may
change in the short term. For instance, access control to a holiday
resort may be configured in winter with a U-shaped scanning region
for cards, and in the summer with an L-shaped scanning region.
The reading unit shown in FIG. 8 features two proximity sensor 15
and 15' in addition to the bar code scanner 11. By way of a
proximity sensor, for instance, a light scanner can be used, such
as the Sick WL 11 photoelectric sensor. Such a light scanner sends
out a light beam, which may be reflected by a person standing in
the path of the beam, and which controls a switch output.
The scanning range 16 of the first proximity sensor 15 seen in the
IN direction of access is oriented before the insertion region 1
for the data carriers 5, 5'. The scanning range 16' of the second
proximity sensor 15' seen in the IN direction of access is oriented
behind the insertion region 1 for the data carriers 5, 5'.
FIG. 9 shows the advantages of this configuration of the reading
unit according to the invention in terms of access for people. The
scanning beam 16 of the first proximity sensor 15, which is cast in
the direction of access IN, detects that the person presenting a
data carrier 5, 5' for reading to the insertion region 1 is
correctly moving in the direction of access.
If this person would be on the exit side OUT, the scanning beam 16'
of the second proximity sensor 15' behind the insertion region 1
would detect this and report it to an evaluation logic, not shown
here. The release of the blocking means 4 could then be
prevented.
The same applies when access for an entering person is blocked by
another person. That situation too is detected.
This embodiment according to the invention makes it further
possible to release the blocking means 4 in the respective
direction by assigning the reading of a data carrier 5, 5' by the
reading module, in particular a bar code scanner 11 or, in case of
RFID data, an RFID reader, to the direction of movement of the
user. This release is then performed by the evaluation logic not
shown here, which queries the reading module and the two proximity
sensor 15 and 15' and correspondingly generates release commands
for the blocking means 4.
* * * * *